Two stacking position square container

ABSTRACT

A two stacking position square container is provided having an upper stacking position and a lower stacking position. The upper stacking position is provided by inserting a bottom of an identical body into a square opening to provide lateral stability and engaging supports on a bottom exterior profile with supports on a top interior profile. A lower stacking position is provided by inserting the bottom of the identical body into the square opening to provide lateral stability and engaging the supports on the bottom exterior profile with recesses on the top interior profile and the supports on the upper interior profile with recesses on the bottom interior profile. The body is symmetrical about both an x axis and a y axis. A 90 degree relative rotation about a z axis being used to change between the upper stacking position and the lower stacking position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stacking square container, such as itcommonly used in the dairy industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Two position stacking containers have been used for years in the bakeryindustry. Examples of patents relating to two position stackingcontainers in use in the bakery industry include: U.S. Pat. No.4,000,817 (Sanders et al 1977); U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,326 (Stahl 1991);U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,966 (Stahl 1994); U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,259 (Stahl2001) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,274, (Cheeseman 2002). Two positionstacking containers are not presently used in the dairy industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a two stackingposition square container which provides an upper stacking position anda lower stacking position. The upper stacking position is provided byinserting a bottom of an identical body into a square opening to providelateral stability and engaging supports on a bottom exterior profilewith supports on a top interior profile. A lower stacking position isprovided by inserting the bottom of the identical body into the squareopening to provide lateral stability and engaging the supports on thebottom exterior profile with recesses on the top interior profile andthe supports on the upper interior profile with recesses on the bottominterior profile. The body is symmetrical about both an x axis and a yaxis. A 90 degree relative rotation about a z axis being used to changebetween the upper stacking position and the lower stacking position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent fromthe following description in which reference is made to the appendeddrawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and arenot intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to theparticular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a two stacking position squarecontainer constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the two stacking position squarecontainer illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the two stacking position square containerillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a first side elevation view of the two stacking positionsquare container illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a second side elevation view of the two stacking positionsquare container illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of two of the two stackingposition square container illustrated in FIG. 1 being stacked in anupper stacking position.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view, in section, of the upper stackingposition illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of two of the two stackingposition square container illustrated in FIG. 1 being stacked in a lowerstacking position.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, in section, of the lower stackingposition illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the two stacking positionsquare container illustrated in FIG. 1 being stacked between two singleposition square containers.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view, in section, of stack of containersillustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a twostacking position square container.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the two stackingposition square container illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view, in section, of two of the two stackingposition square containers illustrated in FIG. 12 being slid overtop ofone another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment, a two stacking position square containergenerally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described withreference to FIGS. 1 through 11.

Structure and Relationship of Parts:

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, two stacking position square container10 consists of a one piece integrally moulded body 12 having a bottom 14with four side walls 16, 18, 20, and 22 of equal length and heightextending upwardly from bottom 14 to a define a square opening 24 intoan interior storage cavity 26. Each of four side walls 16, 18, 20 and 22has an exterior surface 28, an interior surface 30, a top peripheraledge 32 and a bottom peripheral edge 34. Each of four side walls 16, 18,20, and 22 have an intermittent top interior profile, generallyindicated by reference numeral 36, which consists of support members 38separated by recesses 40 positioned along top peripheral edge 32.Recesses 40 are open toward interior surface 30 and open toward topperipheral edge 32 to allow for insertion of an overlying container, aswill hereinafter be further described. Each of four side walls 16, 18,20, and 22 also has an intermittent bottom exterior profile, generallyindicated by reference numeral 42 of support members 44 separated byrecesses 46 along bottom peripheral edge 34. Recesses 46 are open towardexterior surface 28 and open toward bottom peripheral edge 34 to allowfor insertion of an underlying container, as will hereinafter be furtherdescribed.

A continuous planar top exterior profile, generally indicated byreference numeral 48 is provided along top peripheral edge 32. A firstengagement surface 50 is provided by a lower extremity of supportmembers 44. First engagement surface 50 is spaced from bottom peripheraledge 34 leaving a peripheral band 52 that surrounds bottom 14 belowbottom exterior profile 42. A second engagement shoulder 54 is providedwhich is spaced from bottom peripheral edge 34 above bottom exteriorprofile 42.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an x axis and a y axis have beenillustrated. It is preferred that body 12 be symmetrical about both thex axis and the y axis. Referring to FIG. 1 top interior profile 36 ofside wall 16 is made identical to top interior profile 36 of opposedside wall 20. Referring to FIG. 1, bottom exterior profile 42 of sidewall 16 is made identical to bottom exterior profile 42 of opposed sidewall 20, illustrated in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 1 top interior profile36 of side wall 18 is made identical to top interior profile 36 ofopposed side wall 22. Referring to FIG. 1, bottom exterior profile 42 ofside wall 18 is made identical to bottom exterior profile 42 of opposedside wall 22, illustrated in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 8, bottomexterior profile 42 of side walls 18 and 22 are configured to mate withtop interior profile 36 of side walls 18 and 22. Similarly, bottomexterior profile 42 of side walls 16 and 20 are configured to mate withtop interior profile of side walls 16 and 20.

It is preferred that hand openings 56 be provided in each of side walls16, 18, 20, 22 to facilitate manual handling.

Operation:

The use and operation of two stacking position square container 10 willnow be described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 11. Where therelationship between two of two stacking position square containers 10is to be described, the containers will be designated as 10 and 10′ forpurposes of differentiation. All of the elements of container 10′ willbe assigned identical reference numerals and designated as 12′, 14′,16′, etc for purposes of differentiation.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an upper stacking position isillustrated. In this upper stacking position, bottom 14 of container 10is inserted into square opening 24′ of container 10′. Support members 44of bottom exterior profile 42 of container 10 rest upon supports members38′ of top interior profile 36′ of container 10′. This engagementbetween support members 44 and support members 38′ prevents bottom 14 ofcontainer 10 from penetrating further into interior storage cavity 26′of container 10′. Peripheral band 52 surrounding bottom 14 of container10 engages square opening 24′ to provide lateral stability.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, a z axis has been illustrated. A 90degree relative rotation, indicated by arrow 58, about the z axis isused to change between the upper stacking position illustrated in FIG. 6and FIG. 7 and a lower stacking position, illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG.9. In the lower stacking position, support members 44 and recesses 46 onbottom exterior profile 42 of side walls 18 and 22 of container 10 matewith top interior profile 36′ of side walls 18′ and 22′ of container10′. Similarly, support members 44 and recesses 46 on bottom exteriorprofile 42 of side walls 16 and 20 mate with top interior profile 36′ ofside walls 16′ and 20′ of container 10′. Second engagement shoulder 54limits the depth of insertion of bottom exterior profile 42 intointerior storage cavity 26′ of container 10′. As with the upper stackingposition, peripheral band 52 surrounding bottom 14 of container 10engages square opening 24′ to provide lateral stability.

Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, there is illustrated how two stackingposition square container 10 can be stacked with single positioncontainers. There is illustrated an overlying single position container100 and an underlying single position container 102. Overlying singleposition container 100 has a bottom 104 with a recessed peripheralbottom band 106 (similar to bottom band 52) and an engagement shoulder108, (not as deep as but similar to engagement shoulder 54). Engagementis effected by inserting bottom 104 of overlying single positioncontainer 100 into square opening 24 until top exterior profile 48 ofcontainer 10 engages engagement shoulder 108. Lateral stability isprovided by bottom band 106 of overlying single position container 100engaging square opening 24. Underlying single position container 102 hasa top peripheral edge 110 defining a square opening 112. Stackingcontainer 10 with underlying single position container 102 is effectedby inserting bottom 14 into square opening 112 until first engagementsurface 50 provided by the lower extremities of support members 44engages top peripheral edge 110 of underlying single position container102. Lateral stability is provided by bottom band 52 engaging squareopening 112.

Advantages:

Although two stacking position square container 10 was developed to suitthe needs of the dairy industry, it is a multi-purpose reusablecontainer that can be used for numerous shipping, handling and storageapplications. The square containers previously used by the dairyindustry were made in a single size to accommodate the largest productscontemplated.

This resulted in wasted empty space when the product did not fill theinterior cavity to its full height. Two stacking position squarecontainer 10 provides two stacking heights, which saves space whendealing with shorter products or returning empty containers. Inaddition, two stacking position square container 10 has been designed towork with existing single position containers. This allows users togradually replace their inventory of single position containers with twostacking position square containers, as the single position containersneed replacement. The 90 degree rotation is a simpler movement whenadapting for automated systems. Even with manual handling, it is easierfor a worker to manage a 90 degree rotation with a heavily loadedcontainer, than a 180 degree rotation as is known in the bakeryindustry. 180 degree rotation has not been problem in the bakeryindustry, as the weight of the product is considerably less. The twostacking position bakery containers do not have the structural strengthto withstand the heavier weight demands of the dairy industry.

Variations:

This additional description has been added to meet the best moderequirements, as the two stacking square container has been improved.Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a two stacking position squarecontainer 160 consists of a one piece integrally moulded body 162 havinga bottom 164 with four side walls 166, 168, 170, and 172 of equal lengthand height extending upwardly from bottom 164 to define a square opening174 into an interior storage cavity 176. Each of four side walls 166,168, 170 and 172 has an exterior surface 178, an interior surface 180, atop peripheral edge 182 and a bottom peripheral edge 184. Side walls 166and 170 have an intermittent top interior profile 186. Side walls 168and 172 have an intermittent top interior profile 188. Side walls 166and 170 have an intermittent bottom interior profile 189. Side walls 168and 172 have an intermittent bottom interior profile 191.

Referring to FIG. 12, intermittent top interior profile 186 consists ofupper supports 190, lower supports 192, narrow recesses 194, widerecesses 196 and corner recesses 198. Upper supports 190 are level withtop peripheral edge 182, while lower supports 192 are positioned belowtop peripheral edge 182. Lower supports 192 define a lower supportsurface 199. Lower supports 192 may be different widths than uppersupports 190. Wide recesses 196 extend further below top peripheral edge182 than narrow recesses 194 and corner recesses 198. Wide recesses 196are wider than narrow recesses 194. Corner recesses 198 are positionedfurther inward away from exterior surface 178 than either wide or narrowrecesses 196 and 194, respectively. Corner recesses 198 also wrap aroundto side walls 168 and 172. In the embodiment shown, intermittent topinterior profile 186 has three upper supports 190, and two each of lowersupports 192, narrow recesses 194, wide recesses 196 and corner recesses198, arranged as shown. Alternate arrangements are possible, as well asdifferent sizes and numbers of any of recesses 194, 196, 198 andsupports 190, 192. Referring to FIG. 13, intermittent bottom interiorprofile 189 consists of wide supports 200, narrow supports 202, cornerreinforcements 204, and recesses 206. Wide supports 200 are wider thannarrow supports 202. Wide supports 200 are the same width as widerecesses 196, as the two are adapted to fit together. Narrow supports202 are the same width as narrow recesses 194, as the two are adapted tofit together. Corner reinforcements 204 are the same width as cornerrecesses 198, as the two are adapted to fit together. Upper and lowersupports 190 and 192, respectively, are the same width as recesses 206,as they are adapted to fit together. Wide supports 200 are the samewidth as wide recesses 196, as the two are adapted to fit together.Narrow supports 202 and corner reinforcements 204 are positioned furtherbelow bottom 164 than wide supports 200. Corner reinforcements 204 alsowrap around to side walls 168 and 172. In the embodiment shown,intermittent bottom interior profile 189 has five of recesses 206, andtwo each of wide supports 200, narrow supports 202 and cornerreinforcements 204. Alternate arrangements are possible, as well asdifferent sizes and numbers of any of recesses 206, and supports 200,202.

Referring to FIG. 12, intermittent top interior profile 188 consists ofupper supports 208, lower supports 210, narrow recesses 212, widerecesses 214 and corner recesses 215. Upper supports 208 are level withtop peripheral edge 182, while lower supports 210 are positioned belowtop peripheral edge 182. Lower supports 210 define a lower supportsurface 211. Lower supports 210 may be different widths than uppersupports 208. Wide recesses 214 extend further below top peripheral edge182 than narrow recesses 212 and corner recesses 215. Wide recesses 214are wider than narrow recesses 212 and wide recesses 196. Cornerrecesses 215 are positioned further inward away from exterior surface178 than either wide or narrow recesses 214 and 212, respectively.Corner recesses 215 also wrap around to connect with corner recesses 198of side walls 166 and 170. In the embodiment shown, intermittent topinterior profile 188 has three narrow recesses 212, and two each ofupper supports 208, lower supports 210, wide recesses 214 and cornerrecesses 215, arranged as shown. Alternate arrangements are possible, aswell as different sizes and numbers of any of recesses 212, 214, 215 andsupports 208, 210. Referring to FIG. 13, intermittent bottom interiorprofile 191 consists of wide supports 216, narrow supports 218, cornerreinforcements 220, and recesses 222. Wide supports 216 are wider thannarrow supports 218 and wide supports 200. Wide supports 216 are thesame width as wide recesses 214, as the two are adapted to fit together.Narrow supports 218 are the same width as narrow recesses 212, as thetwo are adapted to fit together. Corner reinforcements 220 are the samewidth as corner recesses 215, as the two are adapted to fit together.Upper and lower supports 208 and 210, respectively, are the same widthas recesses 222, as they are adapted to fit together. Narrow supports218 and corner reinforcements 220 are positioned further below bottom164 than wide supports 216. Corner reinforcements 220 also wrap aroundto connect to corner reinforcements 204 of side walls 166 and 170. Inthe embodiment shown, intermittent bottom interior profile 189 has fourof recesses 222, three of narrow supports 218 and two each of widesupports 216 and corner reinforcements 220. Alternate arrangements arepossible, as well as different sizes and numbers of any of recesses 222,and supports 216, 218.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, top peripheral edge 182and upper supports 190, 208 define a first top engagement shoulder 224.Lower support surfaces 199 and 211 define a second top engagementshoulder 226. Narrow recesses 194, 212, and corner recesses 198, 215form a third top engagement shoulder 228. Wide recesses 196 and 214 forma fourth top engagement shoulder 230. Referring to FIG. 13, widesupports 200 and 216 form a first bottom engagement shoulder 232. Narrowsupports 202, 218 and corner reinforcements 204, 220 define a secondbottom engagement shoulder 234. Bottom peripheral edge 184 and recesses206, 222 define a third bottom engagement shoulder 236.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and FIG. 13, an x axis and a y axis have beenillustrated. It is preferred that body 162 be symmetrical about both thex axis and the y axis. Referring to FIG. 12, intermittent top interiorprofile 186 of side walls 166 and 170 is made different thanintermittent top interior profile 188 of side walls 168 and 172.Referring to FIG. 13, intermittent bottom interior profile 189 of sidewalls 166 and 170 is made different than intermittent bottom interiorprofile 191 of side walls 168 and 72. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13,intermittent bottom interior profile 189 is configured to mate withintermittent top interior profile 186. In addition, intermittent bottominterior profile 191 is configured to mate with intermittent topinterior profile 188.

It is preferred that hand openings 238 be provided in each of side walls166, 168, 170, 172 to facilitate manual handling. Referring to FIG. 13,bottom 164 contains square openings 239. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13,between bottom peripheral edge 184 and bottom 164 is a peripheral band240. The addition of corner reinforcements 220 and 204 allows morematerial to be placed on bottom 164 in order to reinforce container 160.

The use and operation of two stacking position square container 160 willnow be described with reference to FIGS. 12-14. Where the relationshipbetween two of two stacking position square containers 160 is to bedescribed, the containers will be designated as 160 and 160′ forpurposes of differentiation. All of the elements of container 160′ willbe assigned identical reference numerals and designated as 162′, 164′,166′, etc for purposes of differentiation.

FIG. 14 shows two containers 160 and 160′ being slid into stackingposition. In this figure, side walls 168 and 168′ are shown, althoughother combinations of side walls 168, 168′, 172, and 172′ are possible.As container 160′ is slid overtop container 160, first bottom engagementshoulder 232′ contacts first top engagement shoulder 224. Because widesupports 216′ are wider than wide recesses 196 (not shown), whencontainer 160′ is slid overtop of container 160, there is no chance ofwide supports 216′ coupling with wide recesses 196 if containers 160′and 160 are oriented incorrectly. This ensures that container 160′ willslide more smoothly overtop of container 160, into a stacking position,without dropping into the wrong mating configuration accidentally.Container 160′ can only be slid and stacked overtop of container 160 ifintermittent bottom interior profiles 189′ (not shown) and 191′,respectively are in mating orientation with intermittent top interiorprofiles 186 (not shown) and 188, respectively. After first bottomengagement shoulder 232′ contacts first top engagement shoulder 224,first bottom engagement shoulder 232′ may slide into contact with secondtop engagement shoulder 226. Alternatively, first bottom engagementshoulder 232′ may contact second top engagement shoulder 226 first.Because second top engagement shoulder 226 is lower than first topengagement shoulder 224, container 160′ can be slid into mating contactwith container 160 with very little tilting of container 160′. If secondtop engagement shoulder 226 was level with first top engagement shoulder224, then container 160′ would have to be tilted at an angle muchgreater than the one shown in FIG. 14 in order to slide container 160′into mating contact with container 160. Finally, second bottomengagement shoulder 234′ is slid into contact with third top engagementshoulder 228. Because third top engagement shoulder 228 is raised(relative to fourth top engagement shoulder 230), container 160′ can betilted to have second bottom engagement shoulder 234′ slide into matingcontact with third top engagement shoulder 228. This is accomplishedwith much less tilting than if third top engagement shoulder 228 waslowered. When container 160′ is mated with container 160, first bottomengagement shoulder 232′ is in contact with fourth top engagementshoulder 230, second bottom engagement shoulder 234′ is in contact withthird top engagement shoulder 228, and third bottom engagement shoulder236′ is in contact with first top engagement shoulder 224. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 14 shows container 160′ sliding overtop ofcontainer 160 with intermittent bottom interior profile 191′ slidingovertop of intermittent top interior profile 188, but a similarsituation could be described for intermittent bottom interior profile189′ (not shown) sliding overtop of intermittent top interior profile186 (not shown). Peripheral band 240 contacts interior storage cavity176 and provides lateral support.

There are three improvements that were made:

-   -   1. In order to strengthen the container and offer better        protection for the products, the bottom of the sidewalls which        previously had a series of through openings, was changed so that        that the openings are merely recesses that do not go through.    -   2. In order to enable the container to slide better, the bottom        supports of the sidewalls were decreased near the middle and        enlarged at the ends, so that the bottom support at the middle        is now smaller than the top opening at the ends, so that the        container can not and will not drop down until in the desired        position.    -   3. Additional internal supports have been added near the        corners, these internal supports are of a slightly reduced        height. This serves two purposes. One purpose is to make the        corners less prone to breakage. When containers are dropped,        they are prone to failure if they land on one of the corners. A        second purpose is to make the container tilt less when sliding.        The difference in height of the internal supports, supports the        bottom of the container and alters the angle of tilt. The less        the tilt angle, the less likely a corner of the container is to        catch in one of the recesses. The closer to parallel the        container is, the easier it is to slide. This approach allows        for an easier slide without compromising the stability of the        stacking engagement.

In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in itsnon-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included,but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to anelement by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibilitythat more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearlyrequires that there be one and only one of the elements.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may bemade to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.

1. A two stacking position square container, comprising: a one pieceintegrally moulded body having a bottom with four side walls of equallength and height extending upwardly from the bottom to a define asquare opening into an interior storage cavity, each of the four sidewalls having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top peripheraledge and a bottom peripheral edge; each of the four side walls having anintermittent top interior profile of supports and recesses along the topperipheral edge; each of the four side walls having an intermittentbottom exterior profile of supports and recesses along the bottomperipheral edge; an upper stacking position being provided by insertinga bottom of an identical body into the square opening to provide lateralstability and engaging the supports on the bottom exterior profile withthe supports on the top interior profile; a lower stacking positionbeing provided by inserting the bottom of the identical body into thesquare opening to provide lateral stability and engaging the supports onthe bottom exterior profile with the recesses on the top interiorprofile and the supports on the upper interior profile with the recesseson the bottom interior profile; the body being symmetrical about both anx axis and a y axis with a 90 degree relative rotation about a z axisbeing used to change between the upper stacking position and the lowerstacking position.
 2. The two stacking position square container asdefined in claim 1, wherein a continuous planar top exterior profile isprovided along the top peripheral edge.
 3. The two stacking positionsquare container as defined in claim 1, wherein an engagement surface isspaced from the bottom peripheral edge of each of the side walls belowthe bottom exterior profile defining a peripheral engagement band aroundthe body adjacent the bottom peripheral edge.
 4. A two stacking positionsquare container, comprising: a one piece integrally moulded body havinga bottom with four side walls of equal length and height extendingupwardly from the bottom to a define a square opening into an interiorstorage cavity, each of the four side walls having an exterior surface,an interior surface, a top peripheral edge and a bottom peripheral edge;each of the four side walls having an intermittent top interior profileof support members separated by recesses along the top peripheral edge;each of the four side walls having an intermittent bottom exteriorprofile of support members and recesses along the bottom peripheraledge; a continuous planar top exterior profile along the top peripheraledge of each of the side walls; an engagement surface spaced from thebottom peripheral edge of each of the side walls below the bottomexterior profile defining a peripheral engagement band around the bodyadjacent the bottom peripheral edge; an upper stacking position beingprovided by inserting a bottom of an identical body into the squareopening to provide lateral stability and engaging the support members onthe bottom exterior profile with the support members on the top interiorprofile; a lower stacking position being provided by inserting thebottom of the identical body into the square opening to provide lateralstability and engaging the support member on the bottom exterior profilewith the recesses on the top interior profile and the support members onthe upper interior profile with the recesses on the bottom interiorprofile; the body being symmetrical about both an x axis and a y axiswith a 90 degree relative rotation about a z axis being used to changebetween the upper stacking position and the lower stacking position;stacking with an overlying single position container being effected byengaging a bottom of the single position container with the top exteriorprofile; and stacking with an underlying single position container beeneffected by inserting the bottom into a top opening of the singleposition container until the engagement surface engages a peripheraledge of the single position container and the peripheral engagement bandengages the top opening.